TEL AVIV, Israel / ZUG, Switzerland | July 9, 2026
Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Polpharma Biologics International AG have announced a global licensing agreement granting Teva exclusive worldwide commercialization rights to Polpharma Biologics’ proposed biosimilar candidate to Ocrevus® (ocrelizumab), including both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations, subject to regulatory approval. The strategic collaboration significantly strengthens Teva’s biosimilars pipeline as part of its Pivot to Growth strategy, while combining Polpharma Biologics’ biosimilar development expertise with Teva’s global commercial infrastructure to expand patient access to biologic therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS). The agreement reflects both companies’ shared commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable biosimilar medicines while supporting the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide through broader access to advanced biologic treatments.
Global Licensing Agreement Expands Multiple Sclerosis Biosimilar Portfolio
Under the terms of the agreement, Polpharma Biologics will retain responsibility for the development, manufacturing, and technical advancement of the proposed ocrelizumab biosimilar, while Teva will oversee regulatory submissions, commercialization, and market access activities across the United States, Europe, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and Turkey following regulatory approvals. The partnership combines the complementary strengths of both organizations, leveraging Polpharma Biologics’ extensive experience in biosimilar development and manufacturing together with Teva’s established global commercial network and expertise in complex medicines.
The collaboration represents another important milestone in the rapidly expanding biosimilars market, where increasing demand for cost-effective biologic alternatives continues to improve treatment accessibility while reducing healthcare expenditures. By adding a proposed biosimilar to Ocrevus®, one of the world’s leading therapies for multiple sclerosis, Teva further reinforces its long-term strategy to build one of the industry’s strongest global biosimilar portfolios.
Advancing Patient Access to Biologic Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis
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Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets CD20-positive B cells, which play a central role in the autoimmune processes responsible for multiple sclerosis. The reference product Ocrevus® is widely used for the treatment of both relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), representing one of the most important biologic therapies available for patients living with this chronic neurological disease. Multiple sclerosis affects millions of individuals globally and progressively damages the central nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and spinal cord while causing symptoms including fatigue, impaired mobility, muscle weakness, numbness, vision impairment, dizziness, balance disorders, and progressive disability.
The development of an ocrelizumab biosimilar has the potential to substantially improve global patient access to this important therapy while supporting healthcare systems seeking more affordable biologic treatment options without compromising quality, safety, or therapeutic effectiveness.
Strategic Collaboration Accelerates Teva’s Biosimilars Growth Strategy
The licensing agreement further advances Teva’s Pivot to Growth strategy, which prioritizes expansion of the company’s innovative medicines and biosimilars portfolio through strategic collaborations and business development initiatives. Supported by nearly 120 years of pharmaceutical expertise, Teva continues transforming into a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company, combining its global leadership in generic medicines, biosimilars, neuroscience, immunology, and specialty pharmaceuticals with a rapidly expanding pipeline of biologic therapies. Meanwhile, Polpharma Biologics continues strengthening its reputation as a global biosimilar developer by providing comprehensive end-to-end capabilities spanning cell line development, process optimization, clinical development, regulatory strategy, manufacturing, quality assurance, and commercialization support.
Together, the two companies aim to accelerate worldwide availability of advanced biosimilar therapies while supporting physicians, healthcare providers, and patients with broader treatment options for chronic autoimmune diseases. The collaboration reinforces the growing importance of strategic partnerships in expanding access to biologic medicines and highlights the continuing evolution of the global biosimilars market as healthcare systems increasingly adopt cost-effective alternatives to reference biologic products.
Source: Teva, Polpharma Biologics press release
